Apparatus and method for treating tissue

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method used for medical and/or cosmetic treatment of a tissue, such as skin tightening, skin laxity and/or wrinkle reduction and or other skin flaws, including an energy source, a vacuum chamber and rollers which may facilitate easy sliding of the apparatus from one treated area to another. The rollers may also prevent excessive friction of the skin during the treatment. The energy source can be configured to emit energy based on the position of the apparatus on the skin (i.e., the position of the rollers), as well as the pressure within the vacuum chamber. The vacuum level and energy emission can be changed or pulsed based on the treatment regime.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser.No. 11/937,917, filed Nov. 9, 2007, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/857,807 filed on Nov. 9, 2006.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method useful incosmetic or medical treatment of tissue, in particular skin tissue.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are various methods for cosmetic or medical treating of tissue,for example, a skin tissue, for reduction of wrinkles, skin tighteningand other undesirable skin flaws. Some of these methods may be invasive,dangerous, or painful.

One non-invasive apparatus for treatment of tissue applies suction tothe skin to draw it into a chamber, where the skin is then treated withradio frequency (RF) energy via plate electrodes. However, in order totreat large areas, the device must be moved around the skin from area toarea, which may be painful due to the friction, which may be aggravatedby the suction. In order to solve this problem, it has been suggested touse a lotion to reduce friction; however, the lotion may be sucked intothe device due to the suction and interfere with its electrical and/ormechanical operation. It would be advantageous to have a non-invasivemethod for destroying or modifying tissue, which is relatively easy,efficacious, and cost effective to apply, that solves this and otherproblems.

SUMMARY

In general, in an aspect, the invention provides an apparatus fortreating areas of the skin including a vacuum chamber including anopening configured to face an area of skin, a vacuum pump configured toadd and remove air to and from the vacuum chamber, two parallel rollersdisposed in proximity to the opening of the vacuum chamber andconfigured to make contact with the skin, wherein the surface of atleast one of the rollers is an electrical conductor, and the point ofcontact between each of the rollers and the skin inhibits air flow intoand out of the vacuum chamber, and an RF energy source operably coupledto at least one of the rollers and configured to transmit RF energy tothe at least one roller.

Embodiments of the invention may further include one or more of thefollowing features. The surface of at least one of the rollers caninclude a conductor portion and a non-conductor portion. A pressuresensor 32 can be configured to sense the air pressure in the vacuumchamber. A system controller 40 can be operably connected to thepressure sensor and the RF energy source and can be configured tocontrol amount of RF energy transmitted to the at least one roller basedon the air pressure in the vacuum chamber. The surface of at least oneroller can include protrusions. A timer 42 can be operably connected tothe vacuum pump and the RF energy source. A position indicator 44 can beoperably connected to at least one roller and can be configured todetermine the rotation rate of the roller as the apparatus moves acrossthe skin. A power controller 46 can be operably connected to theposition indicator and the RF energy source, the power controller can beconfigured to increase the RF energy transmitted to the at least oneroller based on the rotation rate of the roller. An optical sensor canbe configured to sense movement of apparatus across the skin.

In general, in another aspect, the invention provides a method oftreating skin including placing a vacuum chamber against the skin of apatient, wherein the vacuum chamber includes two parallel rollersconfigured to contact the skin and inhibit air flow into and out of thevacuum chamber as the vacuum chamber rolls across the skin, changing theair pressure inside the vacuum chamber, and providing energy to the skinthrough at least one roller.

Embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the followingfeatures. Providing energy to the skin can include providing energythrough the at least one roller when the air pressure inside the vacuumchamber is less than a predefined value. Providing energy to the skincan include providing energy through the at least one roller after apredefined suction time lapses. Providing energy to the skin can includeincreasing the intensity of the provided energy during a decrease of airpressure in the vacuum chamber. Providing energy to the skin can includevarying the intensity of the provided energy as the vacuum chamber rollsacross the skin.

In general, in another aspect, the invention provides a system fortreating skin with optical energy including a vacuum control deviceincluding a vacuum pump, a vacuum chamber with two parallel spacedrollers disposed at the opening of the chamber and configured to contactthe skin, wherein the rollers inhibit air flow into and out of thevacuum chamber as the vacuum chamber is rolled on the skin, an opticalenergy source configured to emit optical energy onto the skin disposedwithin the vacuum chamber, and an optical control circuit operablyconnected to the optical energy source and the vacuum control device.

Embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the followingfeatures. The vacuum control device can include a position sensorconnected to at least one roller and can be configured to detect therotational position of the roller, wherein the rotational position caninclude a count of full rotations. The optical energy can be emittedbased on the rotational position of the roller. The vacuum controldevice can include a pressure sensor in the vacuum chamber, and theoptical energy can be emitted based on the pressure in the vacuumchamber. The optical energy source can be an intense pulsed light (IPL).The optical energy source can be a laser.

In general, in another aspect, the invention provides an apparatus forapplying RF energy to the skin of a person including an RF energysource, and at least one roller coupled to the RF energy source, theroller including a circumferential surface disposed on the skin andconfigured to transfer RF energy to the skin. In an embodiment, a vacuumsystem including a vacuum pump can be configured to remove air from avacuum chamber, wherein the at least one roller is disposed in proximityto an opening on the vacuum chamber, and a partial vacuum can begenerated in the vacuum chamber when the opening and the at least oneroller are applied to the skin. The at least one roller can include aconductive portion and a non-conductive portion.

In general, in another aspect, the invention provides an apparatus forapplying optical energy to the skin including a roller device with atleast two rollers spaced apart, each roller including a circumferentialsurface configured to be disposed on the skin, and an optical energysource disposed to transmit optical energy into the space between therollers. In an embodiment, a control device can be operably connected tothe roller device and can be configured to detect the motion of at leastone roller, wherein the optical energy can be transmitted based on themotion of the at least one roller.

In accordance with implementations of the invention, one or more of thefollowing capabilities may be provided. Electrical energy (e.g., RF andoptical energy) can be applied to skin while the skin is being stretchedin a vacuum chamber. The electrical energy can be based on pressurewithin the vacuum chamber. The vacuum chamber can be rolled along theskin. The rollers can act as electrodes. The position of the vacuumchamber and be recorded, and the electrical energy can be applied basedon the position.

These and other capabilities of the invention, along with the inventionitself, will be more fully understood after a review of the followingfigures, detailed description, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The principles and operation of the system, apparatus, and methodaccording to the present invention may be better understood withreference to the drawings, and the following description, it beingunderstood that these drawings are given for illustrative purposes onlyand are not meant to be limiting, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an apparatus according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1 A is a schematic illustration of exemplary roller configurations;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart describing steps of a method for treating tissue,according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart describing steps of a method for treating tissue,according to other embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart describing steps of a method for treating tissue,according to other embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a flowchart describing steps of a method for treating tissue,according to other embodiments of the present invention.

It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration,elements shown in the drawings have not necessarily been drawn to scale.For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggeratedrelative to other elements for clarity. Further, where consideredappropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the drawings toindicate corresponding or analogous elements throughout the serialviews.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for treating of tissue.This treatment is exemplary, however, and not limiting of the inventionas other implementations in accordance with the disclosure are possible.

An apparatus for treating tissue according to some embodiments of thepresent invention may comprise vacuum control device including a vacuumpump for changing air pressure in a chamber. The chamber may include atleast one opening which may be placed, for example, on a treated tissuearea. As the air pressure decreases, the treated tissue may be drawninto the chamber, for example, as a result of the pressure difference.The apparatus may include one or two or more rollers installed at theopening of the chamber. The rollers may rotate freely or substantiallyfrictionlessly, such that when a force is applied to the apparatus, theyrotate and the apparatus is moved along the treated tissue area. Therollers can be combined with a mechanical assembly configured to movethe rollers inwards and outwards across the opening to provide amassaging motion to the tissue drawn into the chamber. A lotiondispenser can be attached to the chamber and configured to providelotion to the tissue. For example, the lotion can be used to reducefriction, to reduce impedance (e.g., improve electrical coupling), toprovide medicine (e.g., anesthesia, drug), cosmetic material, or otherphotoactive additives to the treatment area. The vacuum pump may providepulses of air pressure having predefined period. The vacuum controldevice may provide pulses of air pressure having predefined shape.

An apparatus according to some embodiments of the present invention mayfurther include an energy source, for example, an RF energy source. Theenergy source may provide energy to the rollers, for example, when theair pressure in the chamber is less then a predefined sufficient value,or after the lapse of a predefined time during which suction is applied.The rollers may be conductive. The rollers may, for example, conduct theprovided energy to the treated tissue, thus, for example, provide heatto the treated tissue. The energy source may provide increasing energyintensity during decrease of the air pressure in the chamber, thus, forexample, providing increasing heat to the treated tissue.

According to some embodiments, the apparatus may comprise at least twoenergy transmitting elements. The energy transmitting elements maytransmit, for example, energy from the energy source to the rollers. Theenergy transmitting elements may enable energy transmission to therollers during rotation, for example, without a fixed wire connection tothe rollers. For example, the energy transmitting elements may beelectrical brushes.

A method for treating tissue according to some embodiments of thepresent invention may include changing the air pressure inside achamber. The method may further include, for example, providing energyto the treated tissue through at least one roller installed at anopening of the chamber, for example, when the air pressure in thechamber is less than a predefined value. The method may further include,for example, increasing intensity of the provided energy during decreaseof the air pressure in the chamber. The method may further include, forexample, sliding the apparatus on the treated tissue by rolling therollers.

The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skillin the art to make and use the invention as provided in the context of aparticular application and its requirements. Various modifications tothe described embodiments will be apparent to those with skill in theart, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to otherembodiments. Therefore, the present invention is not intended to belimited to the particular embodiments shown and described, but is to beaccorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novelfeatures herein disclosed. In other instances, well-known methods,procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as notto obscure the present invention.

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are setforth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the presentinvention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the artthat the present invention may be practiced without these specificdetails.

Embodiments of the present invention may provide an apparatus preferablyused for medical and/or cosmetic treatment of a tissue, for example, forskin tightening, skin laxity and/or wrinkle reduction and or other skinflaws. Other conditions and tissues may be treated using embodiments ofthe present invention. The apparatus according to embodiments of thepresent invention enables treatment by using kneading, pressuring and/orstretching of the treated tissue, optionally combined with heat inducedinto the treated tissue, e.g., so as to modify, reduce or destroyundesirable cells in the treated tissue. Preferably, apparatus accordingto the present invention may include rollers which may facilitate easysliding of the apparatus from one treated area to another. The rollersmay also prevent excessive friction of the skin during the treatment.

Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which illustrates an apparatus 10 toenable treatment of tissue 51 according to one embodiment of theinvention. Apparatus 10 may include a vacuum chamber 12 with a vacuumdetection sensor. Pulses of changes in air pressure, e.g., vacuumpulses, may be delivered into vacuum chamber 12, for example by a vacuumpump 20. The vacuum pulses may, for example, effect kneading, pressuringand/or stretching of tissue 51. Drawing and/or expansion of a treatedsection 53 into vacuum chamber 12 may be effected, for example, when airis pumped out of vacuum chamber 12.

Apparatus 10 may further include rollers 16. Rollers 16 may, forexample, facilitate drawing and/or expansion of treated tissue section53 into vacuum chamber 12, thus, for example, preventing excessivefriction or tearing of the skin when the apparatus is moved along theskin or when the skin is drawn into the vacuum chamber 12. Rollers 16may enable easy sliding of apparatus 10 on the surface of tissue 51 fromone section of tissue to another without removing apparatus 10 fromtissue 51. Therefore, for example, the treatment of a large area may becontinuous and uninterrupted. Rollers 16 may be installed, for example,in a way that seals vacuum chamber 12, for example, by inhibitingair-flow between vacuum chamber 12 and the air outside of the system ofapparatus 10.

The rollers 16 can be disposed on springs and configured to close into(i.e., pinch) the area of tissue 53 drawn into the vacuum chamber 12. Inan embodiment, the apparatus 10 include an electro-mechanical assemblyconfigured to move the rollers 16 inward and outward across the openingof the vacuum chamber 12. The motion of the rollers 16 can becoordinated with the level of pressure within the vacuum chamber 12 tocreate a squeezing or massaging motion as the tissue 53 moves into andout of the vacuum chamber 12.

In some embodiments of the invention, the surface of the rollers may bepartially non-conducting. For example, the rollers may be divided intosections, for example, two outer sections and an inner section. Theouter sections, e.g., near the ends of the rollers, may have coatingfrom rubber or another non-conducting material. In an embodiment, withreference to FIG. 1A, the rollers 16 include alternating bands ofconducting 17 a, b, c and non-conducting material configured to applyenergy in patterns as the apparatus 10 is moved along the tissue 51. Forexample, the rollers 16 include conductive 17 a, b, c materialprotruding up from on a non-conductive material in a fixed pattern, suchas a herringbone, dots, or dashes. The relative size and location of theconductive and non-conductive materials can be varied based on thetreatment regime. In an embodiment, the roller 16 is conductive andincludes non-conductive protrusions 17 a, b, c. In general, the rollermaterials can be high in friction when in contact with the skin, suchthat the device can roll with the skin, and not slip or slide thereupon.In another embodiment, the conducting portion of the rollers may not beentirely smooth, for example, they may have protrusions or the surfaceof the electrode may be roughened. As an example, and not a limitationprotrusions include small teeth similar to a gear assembly spaced aroundthe roller, scoring etched around the roller, bumps or small hollowneedles (e.g., micro-fabricated micro needles) disposed on the roller.

Apparatus 10 may include, for example, an energy source 18, which mayprovide electrical energy to at least one of the rollers 16, forexample, RF energy. The energy may be provided from energy source torollers 16 via transmitting elements 14. Rollers 16 may conduct energy,for example, to provide heat to treated section 53. In an embodiment,energy is conducted through the conductive material 17 a, b, c, disposedon the roller 16.

Energy transmitting elements 14 may enable energy transmission torollers 16 during rotation of rollers 16, for example, without a fixedwire connection to rollers 16. For example, transmitting elements 14 maybe electrical brushes or other contact-based electrical elements. Astreated section 53 is expanded into vacuum chamber 12, the transmittedenergy may affect deeper layers of treated section 53, which may includeundesirable cells in the treated tissue. The intensity of the energyprovided to rollers 16 may increase, for example, during increase of thevacuum level inside vacuum chamber 12, thus, for example, providingincreasing heat to treated section 53 during drawing of treated section53 into vacuum chamber 12 and therefore providing the highest level ofenergy when the deeper layers of the skin are affected by the energy.Alternatively, the intensity of the energy provided to rollers 16 mayincrease as function of the suction time. The energy may be provided torollers 16 only after treated section 53 is sufficiently drawn and/orexpanded into vacuum chamber 12. The heat gradient may be controlled bythe system controller (not shown). Sufficient drawing and/or expansionmay be ensured, for example, when the vacuum level is above a predefinedsufficient vacuum level or after a predefined suction time lapses. Thepulses of air pressure may be predefined and/or synchronized with therotation of rollers 16 and/or with the energy transmission to rollers16. Preferably, rollers 16 may comprise a material which may preventskin burning For example, rollers 16 may comprise conductors such asbrass, stainless steel or aluminum, or combination thereof In anembodiment, the rollers 16 include non-conducting material such asrubber, Teflon, and insulating oxide compositions.

In some embodiments of the invention, there may be a counter 30 attachedto the axle of at least one of the rollers to count the number ofrotations, and the device may thereby calculate the rate of rotation ofthe rollers. This may allow for varying the energy based on the movementor speed of the device. For example, the energy may be increased whenthe device is moving faster and decreased when the device is moving moreslowly, in order to provide even exposure of the tissue to treatment.Additionally or alternatively, there may be an optical sensor to sensemovement of the device across the skin. In some embodiments, there maybe a memory to keep track of the location of the device based on itsmovement on the tissue.

Some embodiments of the invention may include an additional energysource (not shown), for example, an optical energy source, such as toemit intense pulsed light (IPL), laser, LED, or other optical energy, totreat skin drawn into the vacuum chamber.

Reference is made to FIG. 2, which is a flowchart describing steps of amethod for treating tissue, according to some embodiments of the presentinvention. As indicated in block 110, the method may include changingthe air pressure inside vacuum chamber 12, for example, decreasing theair pressure in the chamber. As indicated in block 120, the method mayfurther include providing energy to tissue 51 through rollers 16, forexample, when the air pressure inside vacuum chamber 12 is less then apredefined value.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which is a flowchart describing stepsof a method for treating tissue, according to other embodiments of thepresent invention. As indicated in block 130, the method may includechanging the air pressure inside vacuum chamber 12. As indicated inblock 140, the method may include providing energy to tissue 51 throughrollers 16, for example, after a predefined suction time lapses.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4, which is a flowchart describing stepsof a method for treating tissue, according to other embodiments of thepresent invention. As indicated in block 150, the method may includechanging the air pressure inside vacuum chamber 12. As indicated inblock 160, the method may include providing energy to tissue 51 throughrollers 16. As indicated in block 170, the method may include increasingthe intensity of the provided energy during decrease of the air pressurein vacuum chamber 12.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5, which is a flowchart describing stepsof a method for treating tissue, according to other embodiments of thepresent invention. As indicated in block 180, the method may includechanging the air pressure inside vacuum chamber 12. As indicated inblock 190, the method may include providing energy to tissue 51 throughrollers 16. As indicated in block 200, the method may include slidingapparatus 10 on tissue 51 by rolling rollers 16, for example, in orderto move apparatus 10 to another section of the treated tissue. Slidingthe apparatus can include moving the rollers 16 in a pinching ormassaging motion as energy is provided to the rollers 16.

The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has beenpresented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formdisclosed. It should be appreciated by persons skilled in the art thatmany modifications, variations, substitutions, changes, and equivalentsare possible in light of the above teaching. It is, therefore, to beunderstood that the appended claims are intended to cover all suchmodifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of theinvention.

Further, while the description above refers to the invention, thedescription may include more than one invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for treating areas of the skin,comprising: a vacuum chamber including an opening configured to face anarea of a skin surface and a vacuum pump for causing a vacuum in thevacuum chamber; two parallel, cylindrical rollers each disposed nearopposing sides of the opening of the vacuum chamber and configured tomake contact with the skin, at least a portion of a surface of at leastone of the rollers being an electrical conducting portion, the remainingsurface being a non-conducting portion, a non-optical energy sourceconfigured to transmit an amount of non-optical energy from the at leastone roller to the skin; an optical energy source configured to emitoptical energy onto the skin disposed within the vacuum chamber; apressure sensor configured to sense an air pressure in the vacuumchamber; and a system controller operably connected to the pressuresensor, the optical energy source the non-optical energy source and aposition indicator operatively connected to the at least one roller, thesystem controller being configured to selectively activate anapplication of non-optical energy transmitted to the at least one rolleronto the skin and to cause the optical energy source to emit opticalenergy onto the skin; wherein, when: the pressure sensor senses the airpressure inside the vacuum chamber at less than a predetermined value,or the system controller senses movement of the at least one of therollers across the skin, the system controller causes one or more of:the non-optical energy source to transmit non-optical energy, and theoptical energy source to emit optical energy onto the skin.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the surface of the at least one of therollers includes protrusions.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising a timer operably connected to one or more of the vacuum pump,the optical energy source and the non-optical energy source.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein: the position indicator operably connectedto the at least one roller being configured to determine a rotation rateof the at least one roller as the apparatus moves across the skin; andfurther including a power controller operably connected to the systemcontroller and the position indicator and the non-optical energy source,the power controller being configured to vary the non-optical energytransmitted to the at least one roller based on the rotation rate of theat least one roller.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising anoptical sensor configured to sense movement of the apparatus across theskin.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the position indicatorconnected to the at least one roller is configured to detect arotational position of the at least one roller, wherein the rotationalposition includes a count of rotations.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6wherein optical energy from the optical energy source is emitted basedon the rotational position of the roller.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein: the optical energy source is disposed to transmit opticalenergy into a space between the rollers.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the conducting portion and the non-conducting portion comprisealternating bands of conducting and non-conducting material.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein non-optical energy is transmitted from theat least one roller to the skin when the air pressure inside the vacuumchamber is less than the predetermined value.
 11. The apparatus of claim1 wherein non-optical energy is transmitted from the at least one rollerto the skin after an expiration of a predetermined time of operation ofthe vacuum pump.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein non-optical energyis transmitted from the at least one roller to the skin and wherein anintensity of the non-optical energy is increased during a decrease ofthe air pressure in the vacuum chamber.
 13. The apparatus of claim 4further comprising the system controller causing the non-optical energytransmitted from the at least one roller to be increased with increasedmovement of the at least one roller and decreased with decreasedmovement of the at least one roller over the skin.
 14. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein the system controller activates the vacuum pump to pulseso as to cause one or more of kneading, pressuring or stretching of theskin.
 15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the non-optical energy sourceis a radio frequency (RF) energy source.
 16. The apparatus of claim 1wherein the optical energy source is at least one of an intense pulsedlight (IPL), a laser or a light emitting device (LED).